Comprehensive Bio201 Lab: Rat Dissection, Anatomical Terms, and Body Cavities

Directional Terms

Terms used to describe locations in the body.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Anterior

Refers to the front of the body.

Posterior

Refers to the back of the body.

Dorsal Surface

The back surface of the body.

Inferior

Refers to a position lower than another part.

Superior

Refers to a position higher than another part.

Palmar Surface

The front surface of the hand.

Plantar Surface

The bottom surface of the foot.

Proximal

Refers to a position closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Refers to a position further from the point of attachment.

Lateral

Refers to a position away from the midline of the body.

Medial

Refers to a position closer to the midline of the body.

Major Cavities of the Human Body

Includes cranial cavity, spinal cavity, thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity, and abdominopelvic cavity.

Abdominal Cavity

The space inferior to the diaphragm, superior to the hip bones, and enclosed by the peritoneum.

Pericardium

The membrane that surrounds the heart.

Membrane surrounding the lungs

Pleura.

Diaphragm

A muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Spleen

An organ involved in filtering blood and immune response.

Liver

An organ that processes nutrients and detoxifies substances.

Ureters

Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Large intestine

The part of the digestive system that absorbs water and forms feces.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood to produce urine.

Small intestine

The part of the digestive system where most digestion and absorption occurs.

Stomach

An organ that breaks down food using acids and enzymes.

Lungs

Organs responsible for gas exchange in the respiratory system.

Esophagus

The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Mesentery

Tissue that attaches the small intestine to the abdominal wall.

Trachea

The windpipe that connects the throat to the lungs.

Aorta

The main artery that carries blood from the heart to the body.

Cecum

The beginning of the large intestine.

Adrenal glands

Glands that produce hormones like adrenaline.

Bladder

An organ that stores urine before it is excreted.

Prostate

A gland that produces fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Thymus

An organ involved in the immune system, particularly in T-cell maturation.

Brain

The organ that serves as the control center of the nervous system.

Vagina

The canal that leads from the external genitals to the uterus.